Black H2O Oatmeal Stout - Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had this on 2011-11-18 at the downtown brew pub.

A - Deep, dark brown with a 1-finger tan head and moderate lacing.

S - Roasted grain, some milk chocolate and floral spice. Not real strong.

T - Solid and well-balanced. Roasted grain and chocolate, light splash of coffee and a dollop of hop bitterness to help the finish.

M - Medium-heavy body and light-medium carbonation. Moderately thick yet refreshing.

O - Gotta say; this is one fine stout. Doesn't knock you over the head but it does everything right.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2011 18:54:51 | More by Tucquan

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: jet black with almost no highlights. Nice head that dissipates to allow a larger than normal ring of froth that is tan colored.

S: smells of coffee and roasted malts

T: coffee, roasted malt, maybe some balsalmic vinegar, and great hop bitterness.

M: medium body, medium-light carbonation, and an awesome sticky malt for a lasting aftertaste.

O: wow, another well crafted beer from Minneapolis Town Hall. Wish I had a brewery of this quality by me. This is drinkable, well put together, and full of flavor. This has as much flavor as many imperial stouts I have had.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 22:33:30 | More by Holland

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.78/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

64 oz. growler poured into a pint glass.

Appearance - Black body, but not total opaque, with a huge mocha head. Great retention and great lacing. Love it. It looks luscious and rich.

Smell - Not a whole lot on the nose. Some roasted malts in the form of coffee, but it's faint.

Taste - Much better flavor. Chocolate primarily, with a lactose sweetness in the back end. It's coupled with a slight bitterness that prevents either flavor from coming through too much.

Mouthfeel - Thick, despite the low ABV (it's not that low, really). That lactose sweetness does it in a little bit for me, but it's still good. I had no problem putting away 32 oz. of this.

Overall - Nice, but not something I'd seek out again. Something I'd drink if I was in the area, for sure.

Serving type: growler

11-12-2011 02:59:16 | More by Alieniloquium

AleWatcher

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

on tap at Minneapolis Town Hall -- reviewed from short notes

black body-- like really black. not just dark brown. Very black. Dark tan head with good retention and nice rings of lace.

Smells really weak-- some roasty malt with chocolate undertones. The taste is the same, but it is more dry than expected.

Body is nice and thick-- slightly creamy in feel thanks to a low carbonation level.

Overall, not bad. Not the best oatmeal stout I've had, but not the worst.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 01:05:57 | More by AleWatcher

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Town Hall did a decent job with this Oatmeal stout. It had just enough body to make it palletable. Any less and it would have tasted like typical micro-brew failings. This beer was dark...opaque with nice tan head that laced. The smell included roast and espresso. The taste was nice and balanced...others at the table thought bitter....but I didnt think so. Great balance with the roast, coffee, and enough hops to clean the pallet without being to bitter. The mouthfeel was good....more body would be nice....the ABV was perfect and this is definitely a good stout.

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2011 20:47:10 | More by WoodBrew

beenitty

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Recieved Growler from Rebis1bear, thanks Dave

A: Pours like the name, Black, with nice light brown head and not much lacing at all, but slight swirl reconsititutes and settles into nice layer that eventually becomes a decent size ring of sitting head.

S: Roasty, Malty, very nice. Slight coffee notes.

T: Creamy malt, roasted barley, and coffee. Extremely nice.

M: Creamy, Smooth, wish this came in bottles.

D: Super high, could drink this 6% beer all night

Serving type: growler

06-21-2011 23:04:02 | More by beenitty

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on tap at the brewpub into a pint glass

A- Pitch black one finger mocha brown head, dissipates quickly
S- Very soft mellow aroma, hints of oats and roasted coffee, malts as well, very subtle
T- The taste is better than the aroma, kind of hoppy, sweet, coffee, roasted oats, chocolate, some carbonation, nice surprising taste to this one, very enjoyable.
M- Medium mouth feel well carbonated, very smooth.
O- Solid, oatmeal stout, enjoyable creaminess to it, easy drinkability, a nice regular beer at Town Hall.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2011 07:36:58 | More by Chriscrundwell12

circlenine

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed this fresh from a growler Dec. 15 and 16th 2010 compliments of mnbearsfan.

A: Deep dark brown/black pour with minimal (1/4 inch) light brown head and little lacing - head swirled and slowly formed as beer was poured.

S: Heavy and robust malt aroma, slight hint of coffee present.

T: Overall rather enjoyable. Slight taste of coffee, definitely resembles an oatmeal stout. While not terribly bitter, it did have a tad level of sweetness to it.

M: Not bitter at all. No aftertaste.

D: Very easy to drink. Overall rather enjoyable. Wouldn't mind drinking again.

Comments: Very happy to have received this as I have heard many good things about Minneapolis Town Hall. It's nice to know not all government is burdened by red tape! (And yes, I know it's just the name of the brewery.)

Serving type: growler

12-19-2010 02:35:54 | More by circlenine

zhanson88

Montana

3.85/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Black H2O comes out looking very black and thick with a bit of of thin mocha head. The little head that there is does stick around somewhat.

Smell: I get plenty of roasted malts of course, with coffee and smooth oatmeal as well. Not bad, but not as complex as other oatmeal stouts that I've tried.

Taste: Roasted malts, coffee and smooth, sweet oatmeal. Very rich. A good beer to end the night with.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Just over medium bodied with quite a fair bit of carbonation for an oatmeal stout. Not as smooth and creamy as others that I've had. Pretty easy to drink for the style, definitely worth a shot if you make it to Town Hall.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 01:29:01 | More by zhanson88

acurtis

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

mnbearsfan hooked me up with a growler of Black H2O Oatmeal Stout. Drank from snifter and pint, just polished it off. Syrupy thick black pour with super dark brown head. Nose of roasted nuts, bread. The hops really come through. Taste of roasted malt and barley with a strong earthiness. Finishes with some vanilla. Thick but smooth, lots of carbonation. Very flavorful and quite drinkable.

Serving type: growler

12-12-2010 20:35:40 | More by acurtis

ccrida

Oregon

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draught at the brewery, Black H20 is black with a small tan collar that leaves on a wisp of scattered foam - one drop.

Smell is darker malts, a little char, some crystal.

Taste is pretty good, a solid stout. Full flavored but smooth, clean. One the sweeter side with the crystal malts, not a ton of roast, really more porter in my book.

Mouthfeel is slick, the oatmeal showing up to help it slide down here. Medium bodied.

Drinkability is pretty good, this is a well made stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 02:21:12 | More by ccrida

jrallen34

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brew pub...Pours black with a medium tan head that rises a finger and stays a decent amount of time. Thick lacing...A decent aroma of sweet chocolate, roasy and the oatmeal comes through nicely. Could be a bit stronger and more roasty to really get me excited...The taste is on the sweet side, needs more roast to balance it out more. Light hops on the back give some balance, just not enough.

Worth trying but nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

10-28-2010 14:52:37 | More by jrallen34

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours about a finger of tan head. Not the best retention. Color is black.

Aroma: A big roasted malts with oats and chocolate. Some coffee shows. Pretty malty.

Taste: Coffee, roasted malts, creamy chocolate, oats, and cocoa powder. Light grassy hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, smooth. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends pretty clean.

Overall, a nice easy drinking oatmeal stout. Good amount of roast and creaminess to it. Decent drinkability as well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2010 22:01:11 | More by mothman

jera1350

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Black as night in color with a thick and frothy head that could almost be cut with a knife.

The smell could use a little bump up, but there is a decent hop scent along with chocolate and a bit of coffee.

Pretty hoppy for the style, which I love. Chocolatey with a hint of smoke and coffee. Ever so tasty with a nice complexity for the style.

Oatmeal smoothness with about a medium body. Carbonation is spot on and creamy.

I would have to call this my favorite oatmeal stout. There is only one other that I could say comes close. It's all around great and has such an outstanding flavor profile. On cask is equal to beer perfection. This is a Town Hall must try for anyone.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2010 02:16:55 | More by jera1350

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap @ the Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery (Minneapolis, MN) on 8/10/10. Served in a pint glass.

Pours black, with a finger of dark mocha colored head. This retains with a thin creamy layer of foam that leaves thick swathes of lacing back. The aroma has a nice thickness to it, with notes of coffee, roast, and sweet chocolate. The oatmeal is really sticking out strong here in the nose, adding a smooth feeling sweetness to the proceedings.

The taste is sticky sweet up front with chocolate, caramel and some earthy fruit, while roasted malts add a dark tangy feel to the profile. Nice feeling moderate bite of hops here, which leaves lingering roast and earth in the finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and crisp upon first sip but then gets a little stickier and softer feeling as you swallow. Pretty overall smooth on the palate though from the oats and drinks really nice despite some size to the body.

Full flavored and very drinkable, this may well be one of the best Oatmeal Stouts that I've had in a long time. I could just work between glasses of this and the Masala Mama and be a happy man here!

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2010 19:35:15 | More by Kegatron

FreshmanPour77

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed on 5-26-10
Reviewed cold from a growler to a glass

A - Black pour, 1 finger of foam, nice brown with a tint of red lacing ring, couldn't tell if there is any carbonation present

S - Vanilla, brown sugar, and malt of course, some coffee notes

T - Oatmeal and malts, some coffee aftertaste

M/D - Another winner from Town hall Minneapolis, a very smooth and drinkable Oatmeal stout, highly recommend trying this brew and picking up a cheap growler

Serving type: growler

06-02-2010 16:31:46 | More by FreshmanPour77

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Town Hall in August 2009.

Pours a dark black with a very nice brown head and a little bit of lacing. The smell is one of abundant roasted grains combined with bits of coffee and a few nibbles of chocolate. The oats work their way out as well. The taste brings the oats out a little bit more and also includes some mild bittering hops. The mouthfeel is very nice--medium-bodied and quite chewy. Very drinkable considering the style, and something I'd love to have a constant supple of as the leaves fall off the trees.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2009 17:35:18 | More by Thorpe429

hardy008

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black color with a tan head which left a nice lace on the glass. Smells of coffee, oatmeal, and chocolate. The taste is the same as the smell. The sweetness of the malt is balanced nicely by the bitter coffee flavor. Medium bodied and medium carbonation. This is a nice, smooth, easy to drink Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2009 02:15:25 | More by hardy008

blackearth

Minnesota

2.83/5  rDev -30.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Enjoyed at Town Hall Brewery in Minneapolis, MN. Poured a black body with a light tan head of foam. Aroma was dark roasted malts and I swear I could smell straw. Full bodied with a smoothy, creamy mouthfeel. This one starts off great, but it turns out to be too sweet. Half way through I was tired of it and wished I'd ordered something different. Too bad.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2009 19:03:59 | More by blackearth

Mistofminn

Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The second and final beer in my unsuccessful quest to become Town Hall's mayor for the month. Served in a pint glass.

Very dark brown in color, served with a dark brown mocha head with excellent retention. After a good 20 minutes the head was still there, and it left great lacing.

The nose is roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a very light bitterness. Very appealing.

The taste is much what you would expect, roasted malts, bitter chocolate, coffee and a light hop presence. It is all mellowed out by the oatmeal which gives it a smooth and milky consistency.

Smooth and creamy, medium in body, this is some good stuff. I can't believe I haven't ordered this Town Hall mainstay before. Great drinkability.

For something that is always on tap at Town Hall, I'm surprised I've never had this before. That has changed and this is now one of my Town Hall favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2009 07:29:24 | More by Mistofminn

Ragingbull

California

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark black color with a mocha colored head. Strong oatmeal and malts on the nose. The flavor is rich with roasted flavors that are wonderfully interwoven with oatmeal. The oatmeal lends the nice texture to the beer that it often does to create a nice smooth mouthfeel. The attack is refreshing and light, the mouthfeel is thick, yet clean and then the finish leaves you ready for another sip.
Good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2009 14:35:12 | More by Ragingbull

Vonerichs

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap and the lighting is fairly dark at town hall, but I couldn't detect any light passing through and this was dark brown to black and opaque. There was a thin but fluffy head that dissipated within a couple minutes and left only a hint of lacing up top, but as my glass emptied the only ring was at the initial crest.

This has a very rich and rounded smell, with dark chocolate and dark roasted coffee, finished with heavily roasted, almost burnt malts.

The taste is heavy on the roasted malt and coffee. The coffee roast is deep and dark like espresso. It's all backed by a dark chocolate sweetness. The finish is a coffee-like bitterness.

The mouthfeel was a little thin for an oatmeal stout, but was full bodied and had the right touch of carbonation. It leaves a nice dry palate.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2009 03:02:18 | More by Vonerichs

gatornation

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

had on tap at MTH the appearance was black as night with a nice beige fluffy head that dissipates to a nice beige /cherry ring with some sticky lacing on the side..the smell is chocolate ,molasses roasted coffee plum and some berry smells..the taste was a sweet chocolate and roasted coffee smell with a small amount of oatmeal nothing dominated in this stout but all was present and competing in the flavor it was fantastic and nicely balanced..WOW this is one great stout that is full but at the same time easy to throw back a couple in a hurry really drinkable and highly flavorful a perfect oatmeal stout..highly recommended

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2009 19:14:09 | More by gatornation

spointon

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this one from a growler into a shaker pint glass on 5/11/2009 (part of a great beer trip with BA roadhouse).

A= This stout poured a jet black color (no light passing through this baby) with a 1.5" chocolate brown head. The head dropped slowly and left behind some pretty lace on my glass.

S= Heady aroma of roasted grains, chocolate, treacle, and a bit of coffee. Overall this smelled rich and sweet.

T= Much like the smell, this had a bit of roasty flavor up front, followed by the smooth chocolate and mocha notes. I also found a hint of ripe black-cherry fruitiness in there that clashed just a bit with the roasty malt. Mild earthy hops lead into a sweet finish.

MF= Medium bodied, with the oatmeal giving a significant slickness. Carbobation was moderate to high for the style.

D= A damn drinkable oatmeal stout. The only thing I would change would be to remove that little black-cherry flavor nuance but otherwise this is top notch and would happily drink another growler of it if I could!

Serving type: growler

05-14-2009 04:12:51 | More by spointon

roadhouse

Florida

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had from a growler shared with spointon on 5/11 into a pint glass

Poured a deep black color with a two inch tan head. It retained well and left quite a bit of lacing on the glass.

Aroma was heavily of chocolate and mocha coffee, but there was also some detectable oatmeal aroma.

Taste had lots of chocolate up front with a slight sweetness that comes in before a strong roasty coffee-like flavor comes in to last until the finish.

Mouthfeel was medium-light bodied, very smooth and slick, though perhaps a touch thin.

Overall a very good oatmeal stout. I only wish we had had more time to spend at Town Hall so I could have tried more of their beers.

Serving type: growler

05-13-2009 05:11:11 | More by roadhouse